The future of the Royals and Chiefs in Kansas City was thrown into uncertainty on Tuesday night as residents of Jackson County, Missouri, resoundingly voted down a sales tax measure that would have funded a new downtown ballpark and major renovations to Arrowhead Stadium. The initiative, which would have replaced an existing sales tax, was rejected by over 58% of voters. The Royals, who had pledged $1 billion from ownership, wanted to use their share of the tax revenue for a $2 billion ballpark district, while the Chiefs, who committed $300 million, planned an $800 million overhaul of Arrowhead Stadium.

Royals owner John Sherman and Chiefs president Mark Donovan acknowledged before the vote that the initiative would likely fail. Sherman expressed disappointment, emphasizing the importance of the teams to Jackson County. The Chiefs, hopeful of staying at Arrowhead Stadium, may explore other funding options or even offers from competing cities. The current lease at Truman Sports Complex lasts until 2031, and while the Royals plan to move into a new stadium by 2028, the Chiefs are focused on renovating their 52-year-old building.

The stadium plans faced public pushback from the start, with concerns about transparency and the impact on businesses in the proposed downtown area. The Royals had initially considered multiple locations before settling on the Crossroads district, but questions remain about the logistics and impact on the neighborhood. Despite the setbacks, both teams remain committed to Kansas City and are open to exploring alternative options if the tax extension fails.